Motorist pleads not guilty in hit-and-run that killed pedestrian

Wednesday

Jul 30, 2008 at 12:01 AMJul 30, 2008 at 5:21 PM

LANCASTER, Ohio – A 25-year-old Fairfield County motorist pleaded not guilty this morning to failure to stop after an accident, a third-degree felony related to an alleged hit and run that killed a pedestrian who was crossing Memorial Drive, the local stretch of Rt. 33.

Thurston resident Ryan L. Tracy is accused of leaving the scene of an accident that killed Lancaster resident Julie E. Marlo, 53. A grand jury indicted him Friday, and he is free after posting 10 percent of a $25,000 cash bond and signing a $5,000 recognizance bond.

The accident occurred June 16, about 8:30 p.m. as Marlo jaywalked across the four-lane road from the east side to the west side. She had reached the lane closest to the curb on the west side of the road when she was struck by a white Acura Integra heading southbound. The driver didn't stop.

“She was illegally crossing the roadway but you don't deserve the death penalty for that,” said Lancaster police Sgt. Mike Peters.

As for why Tracy was not charged with a more serious crime, Peters said, “The driver of the car did not cause the accident. Based upon the investigation, we can only show that his car was involved in the accident and that he allegedly fled the scene.”

Early reports based on witness statements to police suggested that two cars were racing, but Peters said investigators who reconstructed the crash were not able to establish that.

Hit and run accidents are rare in the Fairfield County seat.

“It's very unfortunate. It is a tragedy,” Peters said.

The case will be scheduled for a pre-trial hearing in county Common Pleas Court Court.